PTC condemns IFC Center for showing NC-17 rated 'Blue is the Warmest Color'

Since we first wrote about "Blue is the Warmest Color" winning the highest award at Cannes, we knew the controversy over the love scenes wouldn't end with some banter between the director and actress Léa Seydoux (Mission Impossible, Midnight in Paris).

The latest story from Deadline.com is that the Parents Television Council (PTC) is livid that the IFC Center in New York City has shown this NC-17 rated French film to teenagers who aren't of age. The PTC President Tim Winter sent a letter to IFC Center General Manager and SVP John Vanco: We ask that you immediately reconsider this self-serving and undermining business decision, and instead do what is in the right and best interests of parents, families and children," Winter wrote. He concludes with: The Parents Television Council will bring its full weight and credit to bear to make a national issue of your decision, via every available means, until it is reversed.

The main reason for the MPAA rating is the sex scene between Adèle Exarchopoulos (who plays a girl by her name, Adèle) and Léa Seydoux (Emma, who is older than her). Exarchopoulos herself is just 16. In the whole movie, Time finds the lovemaking only amounts to nine minutes, Deadline reports 15 minutes.

Deadline obtained a copy of yesterday's letter, which was also cc-ed to the CEO of AMC Networks, Joshua Sapan, the Cablevision System chair, Charles Dolan, and finally the Chairman and CEO of the MPAA, Chris Dodd.

Do you think the message sent to the heads of these big organizations will be enough to have theaters cease showing the NC-17 film to minors? From what you've heard of the film, do you plan to see it?